Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (2024)

What Can You Deduct from UK Capital Gains Tax on Property?

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (1)

Are you aware of the allowable deductions for Capital Gains Tax on property in the UK?

This article breaks down what you can deduct to minimise your tax liability.

Our team of property tax experts can help you identify all the relevant allowable costs and expenses to reduce Capital Gains Tax.

Once you know all the expenses you can claim against the gains, you will be able to keep more of the sales proceeds in your pocket.

Please use our free online CGT calculator.

What are the basics?

As a property accountant with an expert team that manages 1,000s of landlords’ financial affairs, I appreciate that it can be confusing to navigate deductions for UK CGT.

If you are thinking of selling a property, it is important to understand the costs you can take to offset Capital Gains Tax.

This is paid when you make a profit from disposing of a buy-to-let that has increased in value.

The tax you pay is on the gain (the difference between what was paid and what it was sold for).

CGT is usually due on property that isn’t your main residence or on your main residence if you have let it out or used it for business.

This applies to any buy-to-let you own that isn’t your main residence, including buy-to-let properties and second homes.

If you inherit a house from a family member, you’ll only be liable if and when you sell it.

If you live in your main residence and haven’t let it out or used it solely for business purposes, you should be exempt.

To be exempt from Capital Gains Tax you must have lived in your home for the entire time you’ve owned it.

To find out more about deductions visit here.

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (2)

Are you paying too much CGT when selling property?

If you’re selling your main residence, this is exempt from CGT if all of the following apply:

– You have one home and have lived in it as your main home for all the time you’ve owned it

– You have not let part of it out (having a lodger is allowed)

– You have not used part of your home solely for business purposes

– The grounds, including all buildings, occupy less than 5,000 square metres

– You did not buy it only to make a gain

If all of the above points apply, you will qualify for Private Residence Relief.

This means you will not have to pay any CGT.

If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer, Capital Gains Tax is calculated by deducting the price you purchased the property for from the new sale price.

You’ll then be left with your profit, of which CGT payable is 28% of that profit.

Understanding allowable deductions enables landlords to keep as much profit as possible when selling properties.

What are allowable deductions for Capital Gains Tax on property?

Before you calculate your final Capital Gains Tax bill, you can make certain allowable deductions, including:

Private Residence Relief (for the period you have lived in the home plus an additional none (9) months

– Costs of buying and selling, including Stamp Duty, solicitor fees and estate agent fees

– Eligible costs of improvement such as an extension, a renovation or a new kitchen

You are not able to deduct maintenance costs or mortgage interest from your HMRC bill.

You can reduce your liability by doing the following:

– Keeping a record of costs and deducting them

– Offset your losses from other assets

– Make use of the spousal £6,000 (2023-24) £3,000 )2024-25) allowance

– Consider your spouse’s income if a lower tax rate

– Sell at the right time

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (3)

What you should do next

I recommend that you take action to ensure you get the maximum benefit possible from allowable deductions on Capital Gains Tax on any property you own.

Book in time here to speak to my expert team today.

What are deductible expenses and costs in the context of selling residential buy-to-let properties or homes?

Deductible expenses and costs refer to expenses incurred during the ownership, such as maintenance, repair, legal fees, and estate agent fees, which can be subtracted from the sale proceeds to reduce the liability.

How do deductible expenses and costs help reduce CGT when selling UK residential properties?

By accurately documenting and deducting expenses from the sale proceeds, sellers can lower their gains, thus reducing their CGT liability and maximizing their net proceeds from the sale of buy-to-let properties or homes.

What types of expenses are considered deductible when calculating CGT on the sale of residential properties?

Deductible expenses include costs incurred for maintenance, repairs, improvements, legal fees related to the sale, and estate agent fees. These expenses are subtracted from the sale proceeds to determine the gain.

What Can You Deduct from UK Capital Gains Tax on Property?

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (4)

Are you aware of the allowable deductions for Capital Gains Tax on property in the UK?

This article breaks down what you can deduct to minimise your tax liability.

Our team of property tax experts can help you identify all the relevant allowable costs and expenses to reduce Capital Gains Tax.

Once you know all the expenses you can claim against the gains, you will be able to keep more of the sales proceeds in your pocket.

Please use our free online CGT calculator.

What are the basics?

As a property accountant with an expert team that manages 1,000s of landlords’ financial affairs, I appreciate that it can be confusing to navigate deductions for UK CGT.

If you are thinking of selling a property, it is important to understand the costs you can take to offset Capital Gains Tax.

This is paid when you make a profit from disposing of a buy-to-let that has increased in value.

The tax you pay is on the gain (the difference between what was paid and what it was sold for).

CGT is usually due on property that isn’t your main residence or on your main residence if you have let it out or used it for business.

This applies to any buy-to-let you own that isn’t your main residence, including buy-to-let properties and second homes.

If you inherit a house from a family member, you’ll only be liable if and when you sell it.

If you live in your main residence and haven’t let it out or used it solely for business purposes, you should be exempt.

To be exempt from Capital Gains Tax you must have lived in your home for the entire time you’ve owned it.

To find out more about deductions visit here.

Are you paying too much CGT when selling property?

If you’re selling your main residence, this is exempt from CGT if all of the following apply:

– You have one home and have lived in it as your main home for all the time you’ve owned it

– You have not let part of it out (having a lodger is allowed)

– You have not used part of your home solely for business purposes

– The grounds, including all buildings, occupy less than 5,000 square metres

– You did not buy it only to make a gain

If all of the above points apply, you will qualify for Private Residence Relief.

This means you will not have to pay any CGT.

If you’re a higher-rate taxpayer, Capital Gains Tax is calculated by deducting the price you purchased the property for from the new sale price.

You’ll then be left with your profit, of which CGT payable is 28% of that profit.

Understanding allowable deductions enables landlords to keep as much profit as possible when selling properties.

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (5)

What are allowable deductions for Capital Gains Tax on property?

Before you calculate your final Capital Gains Tax bill, you can make certain allowable deductions, including:

Private Residence Relief (for the period you have lived in the home plus an additional none (9) months

– Costs of buying and selling, including Stamp Duty, solicitor fees and estate agent fees

– Eligible costs of improvement such as an extension, a renovation or a new kitchen

You are not able to deduct maintenance costs or mortgage interest from your HMRC bill.

You can reduce your liability by doing the following:

– Keeping a record of costs and deducting them

– Offset your losses from other assets

– Make use of the spousal £6,000 (2023-24) £3,000 )2024-25) allowance

– Consider your spouse’s income if a lower tax rate

– Sell at the right time

What you should do next

I recommend that you take action to ensure you get the maximum benefit possible from allowable deductions on Capital Gains Tax on any property you own.

Book in time here to speak to my expert team today.

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (6)

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax (2024)

FAQs

Allowable Deductions For UK Property Capital Gains Tax? ›

You can deduct costs of buying, selling or improving your property from your gain. These include: estate agents' and solicitors' fees. costs of improvement works, for example for an extension (normal maintenance costs, such as decorating, do not count)

How do I reduce Capital Gains Tax on sale of property UK? ›

13 ways to pay less CGT
  1. 1) Use your CGT allowance. ...
  2. 2) Give money or assets to your spouse or civil partner. ...
  3. 3) Don't forget your losses. ...
  4. 4) Deduct your costs. ...
  5. 5) Increase your pension contributions. ...
  6. 6) Use your ISA allowance – each year. ...
  7. 7) Try Bed and ISA. ...
  8. 8) Donate to charity.

What improvements are allowed for Capital Gains Tax in the UK? ›

For HMRC to accept something as an improvement, it needs to meet three criteria. The improvement must be made to the asset. For example, if you paid for an artwork to be restored, this is an improvement to the asset itself. Therefore, you can deduct this cost from your CGT bill.

What expenses can be deducted from Capital Gains Tax on investment property? ›

In addition to the home's original purchase price, you can deduct some closing costs, sales costs and the property's tax basis from your taxable capital gains. Closing costs can include mortgage-related expenses. For example, if you had prepaid interest when you bought the house) and tax-related expenses.

What is the exemption for Capital Gains Tax UK? ›

Annual exempt amount limits
Tax yearAnnual exempt amount for individuals, personal representatives and trustees for disabled peopleAnnual exempt amount for other trustees
2022 to 2023£12,300£6,150
2021 to 2022£12,300£6,150
2020 to 2021£12,300£6,150
2019 to 2020£12,000£6,000
2 more rows

What is the 6 year rule for capital gains? ›

The capital gains tax property six-year rule allows you to treat your investment property as your main residence for tax purposes for up to six years while you are renting it out. This means you can rent it out for six years and still qualify for the main residence capital gains tax exemption when you sell it.

What can offset capital gains? ›

To limit capital gains taxes, you can invest for the long-term, use tax-advantaged retirement accounts, and offset capital gains with capital losses.

Can property improvements be deducted from capital gains? ›

Documenting the capital improvements you implement into your home – such as a renovation or remodel – can help lower your tax payments. These structural changes are typically exempt from sales taxes and can help homeowners avoid paying the capital gains tax when they sell the property.

How to avoid capital gains tax on foreign property? ›

If you sell your foreign property, you may be able to make a 1031 exchange (also called a like-kind exchange), in which you swap one investment property for another similar property on a tax-deferred basis. Many investors use this strategy to defer paying capital gains and depreciation recapture taxes.

Can interest be deducted from capital gains? ›

For properties sold after 31 March, sellers cannot include the interest portion of the home loan in cost of acquisition while calculating capital gains if they have already claimed deduction on it. Adding the interest amount increases the cost of acquisition and thereby reduces the tax on capital gains.

What home improvements can reduce capital gains tax? ›

Some examples of improvements that increase your basis include installing wall-to-wall carpeting, central air systems, built-in appliances, a new roof, and storm doors and windows.

Can you deduct hoa fees from capital gains? ›

In general, homeowners association (HOA) fees aren't deductible on your federal tax return. There may be exceptions, however, if you rent the home or have a home office. Additionally, an HOA capital improvement assessment could increase the cost basis of your home, which could have several tax consequences.

What happens if you don't have receipts for capital improvements? ›

If the renovation or sale of your principal residence is the reason for the IRS audit, but receipts are unavailable, you can claim tax deductions. However, the IRS does not recognize repairing a leak, changing door locks, or fixing a window as a capital improvement.

How much is capital gains tax on property in the UK? ›

Once you've exceeded your annual tax-free amount of £3,000 (2024/25), you'll have to pay capital gains tax based on the tax bracket you fall into. When selling property, a basic rate taxpayer will pay 18% capital gains tax, while higher rate and additional rate taxpayers have to pay 28% capital gains tax.

How to avoid capital gains tax on second homes in the UK? ›

How to reduce capital gains tax on a second home
  1. Make sure to use the tax free allowance for both you and your spouse or civil partner.
  2. Record all costs associated with the sale as they can be deducted (think selling agent, and legal costs).
Sep 6, 2023

What age do you stop paying capital gains? ›

Whether you're 65 or 95, seniors must pay capital gains tax where it's due. This can be on the sale of real estate or other investments that have increased in value over their original purchase price, which is known as the “tax basis.”

How do I avoid capital gains when selling my property? ›

As long as you lived in the property as your primary residence for 24 months within the five years before the home's sale, you can qualify for the capital gains tax exemption. And if you're married and filing jointly, only one spouse needs to meet this requirement.

How do you offset capital gains on a property sale? ›

A few options to legally avoid paying capital gains tax on investment property include buying your property with a retirement account, converting the property from an investment property to a primary residence, utilizing tax harvesting, and using Section 1031 of the IRS code for deferring taxes.

Is there a way to avoid capital gains tax on the selling of a house? ›

Yes. Home sales can be tax free as long as the condition of the sale meets certain criteria: The seller must have owned the home and used it as their principal residence for two out of the last five years (up to the date of closing). The two years do not have to be consecutive to qualify.

How do you offset capital gains on a real estate sale? ›

You can avoid capital gains tax when you sell your primary residence by buying another house and using the 121 home sale exclusion. In addition, the 1031 like-kind exchange allows investors to defer taxes when they reinvest the proceeds from the sale of an investment property into another investment property.

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